Multi-compartmental condiment shaker

ABSTRACT

A multi-compartmental cylinder having open top and bottom ends and complemental integral core means providing selectively usable condiment compartments. An attachable disc-like closure normally spans and closes the bottom ends of the compartments and is removable for replenishing the compartments. Cap-type domical cover means is rotatably mounted on and covers the top of the cylinder. This cover means embodies manually regulable dispensing ports controllable by an adjustable shutter-type valve. This cover means can be turned in either direction so that the available discharge ports can be registered with a selected compartment, after which the pivoted shutter can be shifted and set to wholly or partially discharge the selected condiment.

United States Patent [1 1 Atchley [54] MULTI-COMPARTMENTAL CONDIMENT SHAKER [76] Inventor: Oscar J. Atchley, PO. Box 147,

Evansville, 111. 62242 [22] Filed: May 26, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 147,129

1 1 June 5, 1973 Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerThomas E. Kocovsky 57 ABSTRACT:

A multi-compartmental cylinder having open top and bottom ends and complemental integral core means providing selectively usable condiment compartments. An attachable disc-like closure normally spans and closes the bottom ends of the compartments and is removable for replenishing the compartments. Captype domical cover means is rotatably mounted on and covers the top of the cylinder. This cover means embodies manually regulable dispensing ports controllable by an adjustable shutter-type valve. This cover means can be turned in either direction so that the available discharge ports can be registered with a selected compartment, after which the pivoted shutter can be shifted and set to wholly or partially discharge the selected condiment.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures MULTI-COMPARTMENTAL CONDIMENT SHAKER This invention relates to multi-compartmental condiment holders and shakers which while primarily designed and adapted for kitchen and table use in the home are also practical for use outdoors at outings, campsites, picnic areas and the like, and has to do with a compact and convenient adaptation which features significant improvements which well serve the purposes and improved results desired.

For background purposes and as indicative, generally stated, of the state of the art to which the invention relates reference can be made to the plural cell condiment container disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,469,034 granted to Marian A. Garris and, in addition, to the multipurpose compartmental condiment holder revealed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,526,308 issued to Fritz Vorsanger.

Briefly, the herein disclosed condiment shaker is characterized by a cylindrical body section which is such in construction that it can be satisfactorily made from wood, glass or colorful moldable plastic material. The internal core means is integral and embodies an elongated axial hub member and complemental radial equi-distant circumferentially spaced webs or dividers defining open-ended triangular condiment cells or compartments which function to store and dispense the selectively usable condiments. A disc-like member is detachably fastened to a lower end of the hub member, provides a practical closure, and permits one to initially load and thereafter replenish anyone or all of the compartments. This closure constitutes one of the features of the invention. An equally important feature is the cap-type cover means which is rotatably mounted atop the upper end, is preferably but not necessarily domical in shape and appearance, is anchored and remains in place. This cover means features a restricted pocketlike recess whose bottom portion is provided with a plurality of orifices which are capable of being aligned wholly or partially with the discharge end of a selected compartment. This recessed cover is provided with oriented slot means and a finger actuated sector shaped shutter which functions in a manner to accomplish the desired valving action for the discharge orifices in a manner to be hereinafter explained.

More particularly, the cap-like top or cover means is retentively mounted for rotation (clockwise or counterclockwise) on a centralized headed screw threaded fastener whose smooth-surfaced shank provides a cap anchoring journal. The bottom of the pocket-like recess is triangular and apertured to provide the distributing discharge ports. A horizontal triangulate slot is provided in a plane below and parallel with said bottom, opens through a marginal convex surface and serves to receive and enclose the pivotally shiftable valving shutter. With this coordinate arrangement, the shutter can be switched by hand from (I a completely open position, to (2) a complete port-closing position or to (3) intermediate positions for adjustably controlling the ports in keeping with the wishes of each user.

These together with other objects and advantages wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout,

and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a multicompartmental condiment holder and shaker con-' structed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and showing the shutter valve swung to the right and assuming the desired open position.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective, the view being of an exploded type and showing all of the principal component parts and how they are individually constructed and arranged in ready-to-assemble relationship.

And FIG. 3 is an enlarged view with parts in section and elevation taken approximately upon the plane of the central vertical section line 3+3 of FIG." 1 looking in the direction of the indicatingai'rows.

By way of introduction to the description of the details it is reiterated that the component parts which go to make up the over-all ready-to-use condiment holder and shaker can vary in shape, size and materials. Experimental shakers corresponding to the one depicted in the drawing have been made of wood, glass and various grades of colorful plastic materials. It. is submitted that more likely than not plastic material of one grade or another, will be utilized by most manufacturers.

The aforementioned hollow body member comprises an open-ended cylindrical body which is denoted, generally stated, by the numeral 6. It is of requisite thickness and cross-section both vertically and transversely. The internal hollow portion of the cylinder or body is provided with integral partitioning or divider means which is referred to broadly as core means 8 and which as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 embodies an axial hub member 10 which is of a length commensurate with the length or height of the cylindrical body as portion or edge is denoted at 18. The exterior surface 20 of the cylinder or body is provided with suitably impressed, embossed or otherwise formed letters which are displayed in vertical columns and are spaced apart circumferentially, three of these columns being evident in FIGS. 1 and 2, one column describing the word Pepper and being denoted at 22, the second one designating Salt" 24 and the third one designating Garlic Salt as at 26. The other descriptive legends or words are not shown, the several appearing being sufficient for the purposes under consideration. Each legend is lined up with the compartment with which it is cooperable. The pockets will of course be charged with condiments corresponding to the legends displayed. The closure means for the bottom 18 of the cylindrical body is denoted by the numeral 28 and comprises a suitable disc or disc-like member whose upper face 30 abuts the surface 18. This disc is of requisite diameter to conform with the exterior surface of the body 6 as brought out in FIGS. 1 and 2. The central portion 32 is provided with an integral screw-threaded headed fastener whose screw-threaded shank is denoted at 34, the head 36 being embedded in a socket provided therefor as at 38 and the socket being filled with an appropriate filler 40 to conceal the notched head. With this ar- Mun at the lower end of the hubmember 10, as brought out to advantage in FIG. 3. This closure means28is normally fitted in place as shown in FIGS. landj 2but can f be detached when the device is turned upside downfor filling and replenishing the various condimentcornpartments 14. i

The permanently attached cap-like coverfmeans for the top of the cylindrical body is .denioted by the numeral 46. It has a flat bottom surface48 whichis fitted j yracia l -r:irc u rnterentially".j ejj divid ei's in inner lengthwiseends"withcircumferem tially spaced surface portions of said hub member and red at their havingouter lengthwise ends united with interior surface (portions of the encompassing cylinder, a closure normally spanning; abutting and ctosing the;bottom end of said cylinder and also the adjacent bottom end portions of the respective compartments, said closure comprising a solid disc-like member which is of an out sidediameter corresponding with the outside diameter 1 of Isaid'cylihder, is of uniform thickness and is provided upon the upper edgelfi and is held in.p1ace ,bythe screw-threaded headed fastener shownQThisffastener has a smooth shank portion 50, a head portion 52 and' a screw-threaded shankSWWhich is screwed intoa t 'socket'56. The shoulderedportion 58 (FIG. 2) is fitted? against the hub member 10 as brought outin FIG The axial bore serves to accommodatefl the (smooth shank portion which constitutes a j ournal and the upper recessed end 60 isfprovided with a plug 62 which 1 covers the kerf in the head This domical cover means is permanently attached but is rotatable either clockwise or counterclockwise for opening.andficlosingthec discharge means. This meanscomprises a pocket like recess 64 having an oute r end opening through ape ripheral surface of said cover, the bottom of said recess being provided with a plurality of ports or discharge orand is adapted to be selectively registered with-th e tri-Q axiallywith an integral upstanding screw-threaded fasitem,sadfasteiier being: aligned-and detachably bong" nected witha coacting socket member axially embedtied in at end portion of said hub member, said closureandcomp anionfastener when unscrewed permitting userfto load and selectively replenishoneor more compartments jwith predeterrnined condiments, and capj typefcover meansssaid'cover means being hemispherical fandiprovided in one side with a pocket like condimenpdischargingrecess, said recess being f proportionalgin"sizewith the individually cooperable compartments and havinga bottom portion provided with cooperatively aligned dispensing ports, said cover 25 i l l l l I means beingaxially androtatablyseated atop and detachably joined to an upperfend of the hub member and provided with ahoriz ontalsegmental slot parallel with e U i said upper end and opening at an outer end through an ifices .66. The apertured portion is triangular in shape angular compartments/l4 in an obvious mannerqThe user can grasp the cap-like cover means 46Qjand turnitf in either direction to bring the portedrecess 64 in l itie with any one of the columnized letters or legends 22 7 whereby to select the condiment desired Th er e 'is a horizontal triangular slot 68 which is parallel to and S a plane below the aper tured bottom ofthe recess and which is'of a widththat'the end portions'are arranged as shown in FIG. 2, one. endportion bein'g dehoted at 70 and the otherend portion at 72. This slotted cavity serves to accommodatea triangulate shutter 74 which j constitutes an openingand closing valve andfiwliich has 1 an apertured end 76 anchored for rotation on the shank 50.7The shutter portion 78 is provided on its outeredge permit the valveto' be opened and closed in? aself- Q r evident manner. Thevalve isshown closed. m n s and open in FIG. l.-

The manner in whichthe device constructed, the 0 manner in which it is used, and the features and advan- A y tages are believed to be evidentand, accordingly; a'

more extended description is sary. i

The foregoing is considered as illustrative onlyof the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdes ired to lim it theuinvention to the exact construction and operation shown anddeof'the invention. l in y i What is claimed as newisas followsz l A condiment shakercjomprising anelon gated hol low cylindrical open'ended body provided interiorl y Yaxialupstandingfscrew threaded fastener, said hub with complemental core means comprisingfanaxial hub.

{n me mber having a lower end portion having a down-N member commensurate in length with the length of sajid body, said hub member :being provided with integral wardlysopening socket, fillerrnedia plugged into and:

deemed to be unneces-.

ended and selectively, usable, an attachable and detach- .ableclosure normally spanning and closing the bottom with a depending fingerpieceSO which is accessible to outer peripheralsurfaceof the cover means, said slot being associatively cooperable with said discharging lrecess and said dispensing ports, and a shutter-confined i andfshiftably vn i jueai said slot, said shutter, constit tuting a valve and beingrnanually movable to a position to eitherjwholly or partly cover the ports and also movable in a predetermined :mannerwithin the confines of the slot toe positionfully u ncovering the ports.

2. The condiment shakerdeiined in andaccording to i I uintana wherein said shutter is segmental in. plan fl and having an outermarginal edge flush with the outer op en end of said slotand provided with an integral de pending lu g lconstituting fingergrip, said fingergrip being readilyaccessible and adapted to enable a user r to catchhold of the sameiand to swing the shutter from anorrnally closed position to a fully opened position within the confines of the'slot and relative tothe afore mentioned p ortss 3; A condiment shakercornprising a hollow cylindrical body having opentopiandbottom nendsand pro- V vided interiorly with complemental core means, said core means embodying anelongated axial hub member peripherallyprovided with companion integral radial circumferentiallyspaced web-like dividers having outer ends united with the encompassing interior wall of said i cylindrical body'and defining selectively usable triangular'compartments; saidpcompartments being openend of the body and also bottomends of said compartments, said closure comprising a'disc-like member have.

ing flattop andbottom surfaces, the top surface being uninterruptedly smooth aridflat and having an uninterrupted marginal portion abutting the coacting bottomf surface of said cylindrical body, said disc-like member "beingprovided at itsi central portion with an integral lining said socket and having an axial screw-threaded socket formed therein, said screw-threaded fastener being carried by said disc-like member and aligned with and screwed into said screw-threaded socket and serving to normally retain the disc-like member in a closing position and, at the same time, permitting it to be unscrewed and bodily removed in a manner to uncover the openable lower ends of said compartments, and

cap-type cover means rotatably mounted on and covering said top end and spanning and covering the upper discharge ends of said compartments, said cover means embodying dispensing means which is selectively and adjustably registrable with individual compartments in a manner to enable a user to select a predetermined compartment and to wholly or partially shake and discharge the contents therefrom.

4. The condiment shaker defined in and according to claim 2 and wherein said cover means is hemispherical and has an axial portion which is rotatably joined to a journaling shank on an upper end of the core means, said dispensing means comprising a pocket-like recess formed in a marginal portion of said cover means and having a complemental wall provided with a plurality of simultaneously usable orifices constituting dispensing ports.

5. The condiment shaker defined in and according to claim 4 and wherein said cover means is also provided with a horizontal segmental slot having an outward end opening through an outer peripheral surface of the cover means, said slot being oriented and cooperatively aligned with said pocket, and a shutter confined and pivotally mounted in said slot means and constituting a valve, said shutter being imperforate and adapted to wholly or partially cover the orifices at will, said shutter being segmental in plan and having an outer marginal edge provided with a depending lug constituting a fingergrip, said fingergrip being accessible and adapted to enable a user to catch hold of the same and swing the shutter from a normally closed position to a fully open position and vice versa. 

1. A condiment shaker comprising an elongated hollow cylindrical open-ended body provided interiorly with complemental core means comprising an axial hub member commensurate in length with the length of said body, said hub member being provided with integral radial circumferentially spaced web-like dividers united at their inner lengthwise ends with circumferentially spaced surface portions of said hub member and having outer lengthwise ends united with interior surface portions of the encompassing cylinder, a closure normally spanning, abutting and closing the bottom end of said cylinder and also the adjacent bottom enD portions of the respective compartments, said closure comprising a solid disc-like member which is of an outside diameter corresponding with the outside diameter of said cylinder, is of uniform thickness and is provided axially with an integral upstanding screw-threaded fastener, said fastener being aligned and detachably connected with a coacting socket member axially embedded in a lower end portion of said hub member, said closure and companion fastener when unscrewed permitting a user to load and selectively replenish one or more compartments with predetermined condiments, and cap-type cover means, said cover means being hemispherical and provided in one side with a pocketlike condiment discharging recess, said recess being proportional in size with the individually cooperable compartments and having a bottom portion provided with cooperatively aligned dispensing ports, said cover means being axially and rotatably seated atop and detachably joined to an upper end of the hub member and provided with a horizontal segmental slot parallel with said upper end and opening at an outer end through an outer peripheral surface of the cover means, said slot being associatively cooperable with said discharging recess and said dispensing ports, and a shutter confined and shiftably mounted in said slot, said shutter constituting a valve and being manually movable to a position to either wholly or partly cover the ports and also movable in a predetermined manner within the confines of the slot to a position fully uncovering the ports.
 2. The condiment shaker defined in and according to claim 1 and wherein said shutter is segmental in plan and having an outer marginal edge flush with the outer open end of said slot and provided with an integral depending lug constituting a fingergrip, said fingergrip being readily accessible and adapted to enable a user to catch hold of the same and to swing the shutter from a normally closed position to a fully opened position within the confines of the slot and relative to the aforementioned ports.
 3. A condiment shaker comprising a hollow cylindrical body having open top and bottom ends and provided interiorly with complemental core means, said core means embodying an elongated axial hub member peripherally provided with companion integral radial circumferentially spaced web-like dividers having outer ends united with the encompassing interior wall of said cylindrical body and defining selectively usable triangular compartments, said compartments being open-ended and selectively usable, an attachable and detachable closure normally spanning and closing the bottom end of the body and also bottom ends of said compartments, said closure comprising a disc-like member having flat top and bottom surfaces, the top surface being uninterruptedly smooth and flat and having an uninterrupted marginal portion abutting the coacting bottom surface of said cylindrical body, said disc-like member being provided at its central portion with an integral axial upstanding screw-threaded fastener, said hub member having a lower end portion having a downwardly opening socket, filler media plugged into and lining said socket and having an axial screw-threaded socket formed therein, said screw-threaded fastener being carried by said disc-like member and aligned with and screwed into said screw-threaded socket and serving to normally retain the disc-like member in a closing position and, at the same time, permitting it to be unscrewed and bodily removed in a manner to uncover the openable lower ends of said compartments, and cap-type cover means rotatably mounted on and covering said top end and spanning and covering the upper discharge ends of said compartments, said cover means embodying dispensing means which is selectively and adjustably registrable with individual compartments in a manner to enable a user to select a predetermined compartment and to wholly or partially shake and discharge the contents therefrom.
 4. The condiment shaker defined in and according to claiM 2 and wherein said cover means is hemispherical and has an axial portion which is rotatably joined to a journaling shank on an upper end of the core means, said dispensing means comprising a pocket-like recess formed in a marginal portion of said cover means and having a complemental wall provided with a plurality of simultaneously usable orifices constituting dispensing ports.
 5. The condiment shaker defined in and according to claim 4 and wherein said cover means is also provided with a horizontal segmental slot having an outward end opening through an outer peripheral surface of the cover means, said slot being oriented and cooperatively aligned with said pocket, and a shutter confined and pivotally mounted in said slot means and constituting a valve, said shutter being imperforate and adapted to wholly or partially cover the orifices at will, said shutter being segmental in plan and having an outer marginal edge provided with a depending lug constituting a fingergrip, said fingergrip being accessible and adapted to enable a user to catch hold of the same and swing the shutter from a normally closed position to a fully open position and vice versa. 